The last complete piano concerto by Sergei Prokofiev, Piano Concerto No. 5 in G major, (Op. 55) dates from 1932. Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (Russian: , Sergej Sergejevič Prokof’ev; 15/April 271, 1891–March 5, 1953) was a Russian composer who mastered numerous musical genres and came to be admired as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. ...

Background

Having just written a piano concerto for left-hand (Piano Concerto No. 4), Prokofiev decided to write something virtuosic for piano (both hands) and orchestra. Being in five movements and not conforming to the traditional concerto form, the composer originally called it Music for Piano and Orchestra, but later was persuaded by his good friend Myaskovsky to term it a piano concerto. Sergey Prokofievs Piano Concerto No. ... Nikolai Myaskovsky (ru: Николай Мясковский) (April 20, 1881 – August 8, 1950) was a Russian composer. ...

Movements

The concerto lasts 20-25 minutes, with five movements:

1. Allegro con brio (4-5 min)
2. Moderato ben accentuato (3-4 min)
3. Toccata: Allegro con fuoco (1-2 min)
4. Larghetto (6-7 min)
5. Vivo (5-6 min)

Instrumentation

2 Flutes

2 Oboes

2 Clarinets

2 Bassoons

2 Trumpets

2 Horns

2 Trombones

Tuba

Timpani

Percussion (Bass Drum, Snare Drum)

Solo Piano

Strings (1st and 2nd Violins, Violas, Cellos, Double Basses)

Analysis

Movements one to three feature similar themes, the first and third begin similarly, all three captivate largely by their rhythm. The second begins with lightning glissandi, introducing a dancing theme, later contrasted by more spreading motions. It ends in curiousity.
The fourth movement comes as a bit of a surprise after what seems to be a fairly closed work. It is the longest and accordingly the slowest of all and has a climax of heroic grandeur. The Vivo opens poignantly, then goes over into a quieter mood, making use of the unconventional Locrian mode. The concerto ends at a blazing volume. The Locrian mode is a musical mode or diatonic scale. ...

Premiere

Prokofiev (piano), Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Wilhelm Furtwängler. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the worlds leading orchestras. ... Portrait by Emil Orlik, 1928 Wilhelm Furtwängler (January 25, 1886 – November 30, 1954) was a German conductor and composer. ...

Recordings

See also

• Sergey Prokofiev
• Piano Concerto

Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (Серге́й Серге́евич Проко́фьев) (April 271, 1891 – March 5, 1953) was one of the Soviet Unions greatest composers. ... A piano concerto is a concerto for solo piano and orchestra. ...

External links

• The Prokofiev Page

Concertos by Sergei Prokofiev

Piano Concerto No. 1 | Piano Concerto No. 2 The term concerto (plural is concerti or concertos) usually refers to a musical work in which one solo instrument is contrasted with an orchestra. ... Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev (Russian: , Sergej Sergejevič Prokof’ev; 15/April 271, 1891–March 5, 1953) was a Russian composer who mastered numerous musical genres and came to be admired as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. ... Image File history File links Sergei_Prokofiev. ... Sergey Prokofiev set about composing his Piano concerto No. ... Sergei Prokofiev set to work on his Piano Concerto No. ... Piano Concerto No. 3 | Piano Concerto No. 4 Sergei Prokofiev wrote his Piano Concerto No. ... Sergey Prokofievs Piano Concerto No. ... Piano Concerto No. 5 | Piano Concerto No. 6 Sergey Prokofiev did not manage to compose more than a few bars of his Piano Concerto No. ... Violin Concerto No. 1 | Violin Concerto No. 2 The Violin Concerto No. ... The Violin Concerto No. ... Cello Concerto | Symphony-Concerto for Cello and Orchestra Sergei Prokofievs Symphony-Concerto in E minor (sometimes also called Sinfonia Concertante), is a large-scale work for cello and orchestra. ... Cello Concertino